You said:  "...In turn, they will donate the items to other organizations, trade for other artifacts, or sell outright to anyone willing to buy.  I am afraid that this organization will not follow AAM standards in all their transactions ...."

It seems to me that if you hand objects over to someone you know or think will dispose of them improperly, you are acting unethically.  If the other group signs an agreement which says they will follow AAM standards, then I would say it's not your fault if they don't do that.  I suppose the answer is to get some assurance that they will act ethically.  Do you have a deaccession policy which lays out disposal?  If not, perhaps you ought to adopt one before you do the deed so you have that to guide your actions.  I obviously don't know much about the other group, but "historical exhibit producers" seem "use" oriented rather than collections (conservation, preservation) oriented as I wonder what/who they are - is this an appropriate group to get objects in the first place?  Are they selling the objects, renting them in exhibits - or do we care if we've deaccessioned the items anyway?

A dilemma - it will be interesting to see if you get any other comment on this.

Chris Dill, Superintendent
City of Greeley Museums
919 7th Street
Greeley  CO  80631
T:  (970)350-9217
F:  (970)350-9570
E: [log in to unmask]
www.greeleymuseums.com

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